• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact
  • Requests
  • Winners
  • Everything Books
  • Bookish Life
  • Secondary Navigation Social Media Icons

    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram

Storied Conversation

every story begins a conversation

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact
  • Requests
  • Winners
  • Everything Books
  • Bookish Life

Ash’s Desire by Leann Ryans | Book Review

Apr. 15, 2023

I love this series and was excited to get this book to review.

Ash’s Desire by Leann Ryans | Book Reviewfive-stars
Ash's Desire by Leann Ryans
Series: Alpha Barbarians #5
Genres: Omegaverse Romance

Raven didn’t want the life planned for her before her kidnapping, but guilt wouldn’t let her abandon the ones left behind.
She had to escape and get back to them.

A lack of necessary skills left her lost in the woods until Ash found her and dragged her back to his clan, but she refused to give up. She tried again… and again.
Sure she was going to starve or get herself killed, Ash took pity on her and taught her to hunt and survive on her own, and the more time she spent with him, the harder it was to make herself turn away.

He was offering everything she’d ever wanted, but could she overcome her misplaced sense of duty to choose him?

***This is book 5 in the Alpha Barbarian series. It can be read as a standalone but is best experienced after the first book at minimum. It is a slow-burn, sweet, non-shifter mf omegaverse romance.***

Goodreads


Get the Book



Amazon


I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Ash’s Desire Book Review


I admit I struggled a bit with Raven. The omegas that were captured in the first book are treated far better now than they ever were in their own village. They are allowed to work, to choose who their Alpha will be, and so much more. They aren’t there to trade for an alliance or just to mate with an Alpha. The Alphas respect the omegas and the entire village tries hard to incorporate them into their society. 

Despite all of that she keeps trying to run away and return home. I will say she does keep trying for the sake of her sisters and the worry for them. In fact she even tells herself that if not for them she would build a new life in the new village. I do love that we don’t get a woman who runs away and manages to make it on her own. She fails and tries again. She learns from her mistakes and truly believes she needs to get back to make sure her sisters are alright. 

Her growth is what made me like her in the end. 

Ash is a hunter for his village and pretty much lives on the outskirts of everything. He is gone for days on end at times. He is very much alone most of the time and doesn’t feel that an Omega will take well to his way of life. He is happy and content for the most part in what he does. 

He is also the one that is sent after Raven every time she runs. I love that he gets aggravated with having to go after her but also makes sure she is safe. When she pleads with him to let her go and explains why she needs to leave he disobeys and teaches her how to hunt and survive in order to get back to her family. 

These two are both so determined and set in their ways that they can’t see how perfect they are for one another. They work together and learn about one another in a way that the previous pairs didn’t. I wasn’t sure I was going to give the book five stars to begin with. On my first read I felt that there was something missing and couldn’t put my finger on what it was. So I walked away and decided to reread the book and see if I could figure it out. On my second read I realized there wasn’t anything missing. I just was so set in my opinions on Raven that I had a hard time letting them go.

I mean this chick keeps running away without having enough supplies or even knowing the direction she is going. These people have done their best to take care of her and help her integrate. Her family sees her as nothing more than a workhorse that will make an alliance for them and then she will be expected to cater to the needs of the Alpha her father chose. After being kidnapped she is given the chance of having the life she wanted. I felt, at first, that if she just talked to someone. Explained how she felt and what was going on. 

However, on the second read I realized that she needed to do things this way. It was the only way for Ash to see that he was more than just a hunter. That an Omega could and would love him. Together they found the other half of their souls and a reason to look forward to the future. All in all this was a great read and I can’t wait for the next book.

five-stars

About Leann Ryans

Wife and mother of four, my days have been reduced to begging for the littlest to sleep so I can have time to write my books. I’m blaming my reduced schedule on Cupcake.
Facebook is the best place to find me, or you can sign up for my newsletter here (https://leannryans.com) to keep up with current and upcoming projects as well as special promotions and such.

I grew up on Sci-fi and Fantasy books with some of my favorite authors being Anne McCaffery and Mercedes Lackey. In 2013 I discovered paranormal romance and delved into a whole new world. After reading Omegaverse stories from Addison Cain and Nora Ash, I had the idea for The Omega Prize and decided to take a shot at writing a book of my own. The beginning was rough, it took two months to write the first five chapters, but as my 2019 New Year’s resolution I said I was going to finish the story and committed to writing every day. It didn’t take long for the book to begin telling itself, and from there I just kept going.

Most of my books are Omegaverse, but they span other genres like Sci-Fi, dystopian, and historical barbarians. There is even a small-town Enemies to Lovers Romance story in there. They main contain dark elements but I wouldn’t call them dark romance since my alphas tend to be a little mushy in the center. I promise there’s always a HEA.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook Group | Bookbub | Newsletter Sign Up

Category: Review Tags: Booksprout

← Previous Post
The Voices are Back by Lani Lynn Vale | Book Review
Next Post →
Grimm Prince by NS Johnson | Blitz

You may also like

You've Got Hate Mail by Pippa Grant Book Review
You’ve Got Hate Mail by Pippa Grant | Book Review
No Shelf Control by Nichole Rose | Book Review
No Shelf Control by Nichole Rose | Book Review
Paws & Order by Matilda Martel | Book Review
Paws & Order by Matilda Martel | Book Review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bea LaRocca says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Thank you for sharing your review of Ash’s Desire, this sounds like a book and series that I will enjoy reading

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    May 3, 2023 at 11:50 am

    It sounds like an engaging story.

    Reply
  3. heather says

    May 3, 2023 at 4:00 pm

    I love the cover of this one so different and this review really has me wanting to read this one for sure.

    Reply
  4. bn100 says

    May 4, 2023 at 12:50 am

    nice review

    Reply
  5. Dreaa Drake says

    May 6, 2023 at 9:29 pm

    Love this cover! & it sounds like a great book!

    Reply
  6. Adriane says

    May 27, 2023 at 4:43 pm

    Not sure if this is for me

    Reply
  7. Marisela Zuniga says

    June 12, 2023 at 8:29 pm

    Nice cover, sounds like a good read

    Reply
  8. Shirley O says

    June 21, 2023 at 5:24 pm

    Great review, it sounds like an interesting read.

    Reply
  9. Kim Henrichs says

    June 23, 2023 at 9:26 am

    My bestie would love this book!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

SC 2026 sidebar graphic


Hi, I’m Rita and I write all about books. I learned at a very early age just how much I love to read and getting lost in the worlds that books provide.

Find us online

  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Instagram

Currently Reading

Nothing at the moment!

Recent Book Reviews

You've Got Hate Mail by Pippa GrantNo Shelf Control  by Nichole RosePaws & Order by Matilda MartelSame Rogue  by T. S. JoyceUnfortunate Games by Nichole RoseSpicy Disaster by Lani Lynn ValeRev  by Fiona DavenportTyre by Fiona Davenport  by Fiona DavenportForget That Guy by Lani Lynn ValeThe Bristlecone Writers' Group  by Lisa Williams KlineMaple & Moonlight  by Daphne ElliotWoden's Vengeance by Donovan CookMurder on an Irish Farm  by Carlene O'ConnorThe Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin SoansThe Lady of Galway Manor  by Jennifer DeibelBaking in the American South  by Anne ByrnThe Song That Moves the Sun  by Anna BrightThe Girl from Portofino by Siobhan DaikoThe Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition by Rose Levy Beranbaum, Woody WolstonDesperately Seeking a Duchess by Christi Caldwell

Join Me This Year

26 in 2026 -2 challenge updated sidebar- SC everything books page 2026
The Big Read Take Two
·:*¨℧ COVER REVEAL ℧¨⁀➷ Put your boots on! Wolf R ·:*¨℧ COVER REVEAL ℧¨⁀➷

Put your boots on! Wolf Ranch: Brazen, an all-new cowboy, shifter romance, and book 12 in the bestselling Wolf Ranch series from bestselling authors @reneeroseromance and @vanessa_vale_author is coming August 3rd! 

Pre-order your copy today → https://geni.us/WRbrazen

Add Wolf Ranch: Brazen to Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252558306-brazen?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=vT5kgremWg&rank=1

Influencers, sign up for the promotional tour here → https://airtable.com/app4GlTDeohpr2Y8x/shrdPEMwwi0HS1Zu9 

#wolfranchbrazen #reneerose #vanessavale #cowboyromance #shifterromance #coverreveal @literallyyourspr
Here are a few of the reviews I have coming this w Here are a few of the reviews I have coming this week. Be sure to check them all out!

🧡 Masked Secrets by J.D. Carothers

🧡 Captive Audience by Julie Weaver

🧡 Infernal Affairs by Matilda Martel

I can't wait to share all of these with you. 

#reviewingthisweek #BooksBooksBooks #ReadingLife #BookLover #BookRecommendations
Look who got book mail today!! Than you so much @p Look who got book mail today!! Than you so much @pippa.grant for this amazing book. I can’t wait for the next one. 

 #goviral #bookmailmonday #booksbooksbooks #books #romancebookaddict
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars A bookstore owner stalks an author. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

A bookstore owner stalks an author.

The author threatens to call the police.

Then actually does.

Somehow this turns into a romance and I loved every minute of it. 😂

Jasmine and River were chaotic, stubborn, funny, and completely perfect together. Their banter carried this entire book for me.

Also, River trusting Jasmine when everyone else was questioning her? That man knew exactly who she was.

#bookreview #instaloveinfluencers
This book was ADORABLE. 🥰 Small-town charm ✔️ Wol This book was ADORABLE. 🥰

Small-town charm ✔️
Wolf shifter Chief of Police ✔️
Slow-burn romance ✔️
Found family vibes ✔️
A town full of lovable busybodies ✔️

I loved how Liza and Cassian slowly became part of each other's everyday lives before romance really took center stage. They were so comfortable together and completely made me smile.

And Alaric's formal complaint? I laughed so hard I nearly spit out my drink. 😂

I cannot wait for the next trip back to Blackthorn Bay!
#BookReview #ParanormalRomance #SmallTownRomance #Bookstagram #RomanceReader
Bridger was the Rogue Pack wolf I most wanted to k Bridger was the Rogue Pack wolf I most wanted to know more about, and his story absolutely delivered. We've seen glimpses of him throughout the series—always keeping his distance while still showing up when it mattered most. Finally learning the truth behind his past and the loss he carries was heartbreaking.

Kit was not at all who I expected for Bridger, but she ended up being exactly what he needed. Their story felt a little different from the other books in the series, focusing more on healing, guilt, and emotional growth than outside conflict. I actually loved that change of pace.

The Rogue Pack's matchmaking antics had me shaking my head and laughing at the same time, and as always, the pack dynamics were one of my favorite parts of the book.

A sweet, emotional paranormal romance filled with heart, healing, and one grumpy wolf who finally gets the happiness he deserves. 🐺

#BookReview #ParanormalRomance #TSJoyce #RoguePack #ShifterRomance #RomanceReader #Bookstagram

Footer

Every Story Begins with a Conversation

Welcome to Storied Conversation, a space dedicated to he thoughtful discussion of books, exploring literary worlds one page at a time.

Categories

See all the posts in a particular category.

  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2026 · Storied Conversation

Lexi Theme by Code + Coconut